Track News and Announcements

Tickets on sale Monday for Michigan races: Tickets, campsites and travel packages for all Michigan International Speedway events, including both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends, Michigan Wine and Beer Fest presented by Experience Jackson and Faster Horses Festival, are on sale Monday [Feb 2nd]. "The 2015 season at MIS is lining up to be action packed and offer something for everyone from the Michigan Wine and Beer Fest, two NASCAR racing weekends and the Faster Horses Festival," MIS President Roger Curtis said. "From May to August, we are going to have a huge party each month here in the beautiful Irish Hills. The 2014 season featured some fantastic racing, awesome music, plenty of Michigan wines and beers and a lifetime of memories. We cannot wait for the season to start and welcome fans back to MIS to one or all of our great events this summer."
The speedway has a fun and diverse lineup for race fans and festival goers alike, starting with the Michigan Wine and Beer Festival presented by Experience Jackson on Saturday, May 9. Tickets are $30 and include $10 in tasting tokens. The track then hosts the first of two NASCAR weekends June 12-14 with the Corrigan Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series on Friday, June 12, NASCAR XFINITY Series on Saturday, June 13 and the Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, June 14. Then, Faster Horses Festival will return for the third year July 17-19. This year's three-day lineup of headliners includes Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. For tickets and campsites and a listing of all acts over the three day festival, visit www.fasterhorsesfestival.com.
The Sprint Cup Series will wind up its summertime stint at MIS on Sunday, August 16 with the Pure Michigan 400. The Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation is on Saturday, August 15. The track will continue to keep ticket prices low for 2015. Race fans who purchase early will have the best prices and the best seats. Tickets for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race start at $37, with children 12 and under free in certain sections, ensuring families a chance to see NASCAR at affordable prices. Guests can camp all week long for one price, starting at $145. The speedway will also continue its junior pricing program where kids 13-16 are half price in reserve seats. Visit www.MISpeedway.com for a complete listing of events and to buy tickets and camping today.
And if you want a turn-key option to help you make arrangements, PrimeSport is offering official Quicken Loans 400 travel packages and Pure Michigan 400 travel packages that include: two or three-night hotel accommodations, round-trip transfers to the race and airport, official welcome gifts, PrimeSport credential holder and lanyard, breakfast at the hotel and premium race tickets (with upgrades available). Each package is customizable and can be fit to a fan's specific needs. For more information on the Official Travel Packages for races at Michigan International Speedway, visit PrimeSport.com. Lastly, visit www.MIScamping.com for a one-stop camping option for all events. This year, Faster Horses guests can also get camping help.(MIS)(2-1-2015)

Michigan Heritage trophy presented to Chevy Racing: The Michigan Heritage trophy is a recognition and celebration of the automobile and its importance to the race track and manufacturers competing in NASCAR. The trophy is presented to the winning manufacturer in each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
MIS President Roger Curtis officially presented the Michigan Heritage to Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, for its two wins at NASCAR's fastest track in 2014. The handover took place Tuesday at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights with several Chevrolet drivers looking on, including Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. As part of the Michigan Heritage presentation, each contending manufacturer as well as MIS, committed $10,000 to be given to a youth-focused and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related charity in Michigan. Chevy, who won both NASCAR Sprint Cup events at MIS this summer, chose the Michigan Science Center (MiSci) as this year's recipient. Chevy Racing will keep the trophy until the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series return to the Irish Hills for the Quicken Loans 400 on June 14, 2015.(MIS)(12-18-2014)

Atlanta removing 17,000 seats, Charlotte 41,000 UPDATE: Atlanta Motor Speedway's parent company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc., announced Tuesday that they will remove 17,000 seats from the track's grandstands. The company anticipates using those areas for premium hospitality, advertising and other facility purposes. Their sister track, Charlotte Motor Speedway, is losing 41,000 seats.(wgxa.tv), see image of the CMS construction at Slugger Labbe's Twitter.(12-10-2014)UPDATE: Alterations announced this week are in line with a trend of tracks removing seats. Charlotte, after removing 41,000 seats this winter, will be down to permanent seating of 89,000 in 2015, a startlingly low capacity considering its location in NASCAR's epicenter. But it's par for the course. Atlanta is removing 17,000 seats to get down to 75,000; Dover is removing 17,500 seats to get down to 95,500; and Daytona is removing its backstretch grandstands of 46,500 next spring to go to 101,500 seats. Other tracks on the circuit have made similar changes.
At its peak in 2007, International Speedway Corp.'s 12 major tracks had 1.1 million grandstand seats (not including suites). After the Daytona renovation, ISC will be down 30 percent to approximately 761,000 seats.
In 2013 alone, the following ISC tracks cut seats: Talladega (from 108,000 to 78,000), Richmond (91,000 to 71,000), Chicagoland (69,000 to 55,500), Michigan (84,000 to 71,000), California (81,000 to 68,000), Darlington (60,000 to 58,000) and Homestead (56,000 to 46,000). Any additional cuts likely will be revealed when its annual report comes out in January.
With the current Charlotte and Atlanta reductions, Speedway Motorsports has cut 101,000 seats (12 percent) across seven of its tracks since 2009, although it added 38,000 at Kentucky when it moved a Cup race to that track. SMI, which includes suites in its capacity estimates, cut capacity in 2013 at Atlanta (from 98,000 to 92,000), Bristol (158,000 to 153,000) and New Hampshire (96,000 to 95,000).
Dover listed 135,000 seats in 2009, so its reduction in recent years is 29 percent. At one point, it reduced 20,000 seats by replacing the current seats with wider ones for more fan comfort, a move done by many racetracks. Indianapolis and Pocono, privately owned, do not have to report their capacities, but Indianapolis also has removed seats.(see full article at the Sporting News)(12-11-2014)

Michigan seeks Youth Fan Advisory Board members: Michigan International Speedway strives to provide a memorable experience for fans of all ages. After a successful first-time effort in 2014, MIS is again seeking knowledgeable and passionate youth to share their insight and ideas to improve NASCAR's fastest racetrack as part of a Youth Fan Advisory Board. The Youth FAB provides a unique opportunity for young NASCAR fans to communicate directly with the MIS staff through email and conference calls about the guest experience, as well as assist in the future planning of the track. All youth ages 14-20 who attend races at MIS are encouraged to apply to be a Youth FAB member. Youth can download the application and bylaws at the MIS website. The application must be returned to MIS by Jan. 23, 2015. The Youth Fan Advisory Board is modeled after the successful Fan Advisory Board instituted by the track in 2008. The discussions with the FAB have provided many ideas and initiatives to improve the facility for all guests. We look forward to the same success with the youth FAB to welcome fans of all ages to NASCAR's fastest track. The Youth FAB is associated with many functions at MIS and members will have an opportunity to improve all facets of the track. The track believes all ideas are important and appreciates all feedback.(MIS)(11-25-2014)

Michigan recognizes for leading green power use: Michigan International Speedway officials announced that the racetrack is using green power as part of a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Consumers Energy. The track uses nearly five million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization's electricity use. MIS is the first facility in all of motorsports and one of the first sporting venues in the country to join the EPA's Green Power Partnership and offset its energy use from green power. Michigan International Speedway participates in Consumers Energy's Green Generation Program. This demonstrates a proactive choice to support cleaner renewable energy alternatives. MIS and Consumers Energy are working together to improve the environment through the track and its campground. The two organizations will work together to develop wind, solar and renewable energy at the track as well as identify ways to cut energy usage for the speedway. In addition, MIS and Consumers will plant more than 3,000 trees in Michigan for the two race weekends.(MIS)(10-22-2014)

Michigan International Speedway, MEDC Pure Michigan 400 partnership extended: Two of Michigan's best-known brands - Michigan International Speedway and Pure Michigan - are extending their partnership to host the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, August 16, 2015. Since 2011, the Pure Michigan 400 has proved to be an effective way to bring the Pure Michigan message to 75 million NASCAR fans nationwide. Further brand exposure has resulted from working with nationally recognized grand marshals, including Desmond Howard, Kid Rock, Carter Oosterhouse and Amy Smart and Olympic gold medalists Charlie White and Meryl Davis. Additionally, MEDC has been able to use the event to host business leaders and national site selectors to showcase the quality of life Michigan has to offer. Each year about 385,000 people visit MIS, generating an economic impact of more than $414 million. Nearly 60 percent of the guests on race weekends come from outside Michigan, making MIS the largest welcome center in the state. The partnership joining these two brands, both focused on attracting new visitors to Michigan, continues what is believed to be the first time a state's branding agency has sponsored NASCAR's premier stock car series. The partnership includes title sponsorship of the August 16, 2015 Sprint Cup race with the option to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods.(Michigan International Speedway)(10-21-2014)

Behind the scenes tour available at Michigan: Take a behind the scenes tour of the fastest track in NASCAR - Michigan International Speedway. It is the perfect opportunity to learn how a track prepares for a race and operates all year long. MIS is offering tours to all guests to get a behind the scenes view of the racing facility. Fans still have two more chances to take advantage of this special opportunity. The tours are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 16 beginning at 1:30pm. The tour ($5 per person) will last approximately an hour and a half and will be guided by a knowledgeable MIS staff member. The day is limited to 50 people and you can reserve your spot now by calling (800) 354-1010. Your ticket will be mailed to you. All proceeds benefit MIS Cares, MIS' official charity. Now is your chance to experience the slope of the 18 degrees of banking in the corners. The tour will take fans on one trip around the oval before moving onto the road course depending on track activity. You will have the opportunity to experience what the banking feels like heading into Turn 1 and imagining what the drivers see at over 200 MPH. Guests will be taken to the interior of the track through the infield tunnel entrance before stopping off at the media center. Take a seat in the deadline pressroom and imagine yourself asking a driver a question for a story. While in the infield you will see the Pit Road Suites and then go to the roof to get a view of the entire track. The tour will stop at the Tower behind the grandstands as the guests ride the elevator to a spot high above the track. You will see the remolded Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union. Guests will also see the Skylounge Suites where you not only see the entire racing surface, but the expanse of the facility. In addition, the fans will see the campgrounds, including the MIScamping.com APEX RV Park overlooking Turn 3 and 4. A limited number of walk-up tickets will be available, but the tour is limited to 50 people so get your ticket early.(MIS)(9-11-2014)

Michigan International Speedway continues on track to a greener Michigan: Michigan International Speedway is waving the green flag, making a commitment with the help of Consumers Energy to match 100 percent of its electricity use with renewable energy. Officials from the racetrack and from Consumers Energy on Sunday announced plans to improve Michigan's environment through actions at its largest racetrack -- and largest campground. Those include support for renewable energy, a new initiative to plant trees and a commitment by MIS to reduce energy usage. Michigan International Speedway now becomes the largest customer to enroll 100 percent in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program. Close to 20,000 homes and businesses in Michigan participate in Green Generation, contributing each month to purchase power from renewable sources, all made in Michigan.(MIS)(8-18-2014)

Speeds up at Michigan: The sheer numbers were staggering, watching speeds reach the stratosphere in Friday afternoon's Coors Light Pole qualifying at Michigan. The track record at the 2-mile oval fell four times during time trials, climbing from 204, 205 mph and more until #24-Jeff Gordon finally carried the mantle at a blistering 206.558 mph. After clocking the seventh-fastest pole-winning speed in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history, Gordon knew he had a solid lap but didn't know just how solid until he checked the scoreboard. Of the 43 cars entered in Sunday's Pure Michigan 400, 32 of them qualified at better than 200 mph, one of racing's magic numbers that has long made crew members check the calibration of their stopwatches. The laps are the fastest turned in NASCAR's premier series since the pre-restrictor plate era in the mid-1980s at ultra-fast Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway. The blazing speeds simmered somewhat Saturday in the Irish Hills as teams changed from qualifying trim to race setups, but 26 of 43 still topped the 200 mph mark in the brisk early morning session.(NASCAR.com)(8-17-2014)

Chevy wins challenge trophy: #48-Jimmie Johnson's victory also ended a three-race streak of Ford-powered cars in victory lane here, the Sprint Cup's closest stop to the headquarters of General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Alba Colon, Chevrolet's program manager for NASCAR series, was happy to claim the challenge trophy that goes to the manufacturer who wins at Michigan International Speedway. "It's great to have a friendly competition and bring this trophy home to our office," she said. The last Chevy win at Michigan was Earnhardt's victory in June 2012.(NASCAR Wire Service)(6-17-2014)

Consumers Energy Working with MIS and Race Fans to Reduce Energy Usage : Consumers Energy is sponsoring Michigan International Speedway, helping race fans - and Michigan's premier racetrack - to save energy. That begins with this weekend's Quicken Loans 400. "We're thrilled to be part of this race weekend and to provide useful information about energy efficiency to tens of thousands of people at MIS," said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience, rates and regulation. "We've helped Michigan residents and businesses save $575 million through our energy efficiency efforts since 2009, and know they can do much more long after the checkered flag is waved on Sunday." Consumers Energy is working to help Michigan International Speedway reduce its energy usage to save money and to build on the racetrack's commitment to sustainability. Consumers Energy will be sponsoring the racetrack this weekend and through the Pure Michigan 400 in August, and expects to provide updates on Michigan International Speedway's energy-saving accomplishments before the August race. "We are committed to providing a world-class race experience, to fueling Michigan's economy and to doing all we can for the good of the environment," said Roger Curtis, Michigan International Speedway president. "We want our fans to come away thrilled with the race experience and the energy savings that they can experience in their home or business."
Consumers Energy is reaching out to race fans all weekend, providing energy-saving tips, including a direct outreach to the thousands who are camping around the racetrack. Fans can order tickets for the races at MIS online at mispeedway.com or by phone at 800-354-1010.(6-16-2014)

ISC to install video screens, improve wireless at tracks: International Speedway Corporation unveiled its plan to provide race fans with the sport's first fully-integrated multi-media race-day experience across all its motorsports facilities over the next few years. In addition to the thrilling live on-track racing action, fans will be able to enjoy rich multi-media content directly on their Sprint smartphones and other handheld devices, and on new high-definition video screens located throughout the racetrack. They will also enjoy enhanced connectivity to instantly share their raceday experience with friends inside and outside the track via Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. These enhancements, which began in 2013 and will continue in 2014 and 2015, focus on several key areas:
-- Digital High-Definition Video Screens: Beginning with Talladega Superspeedway in 2014, new large high-definition video boards will be installed across all ISC tracks. These video boards will be located throughout each facility to ensure all fans in attendance have a clear view of the screens to enjoy all the great content that it will deliver.
-- Unique At-Track Content: ISC has deployed a fully-integrated multi-media content strategy to deliver up-to-the-second live in-race and in-car cameras views, instant race data and other interactive race-day content to enhance the live on-track action and provide fans with a raceday experience unlike any other in the industry.
-- Enhanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi service will be provided in premium camping and fan areas, as well as in high-traffic areas. These services were already installed at Michigan International Speedway and Auto Club Speedway of Southern California in 2013, and will be rolled out to other venues in the ISC family in 2014 and 2015. In addition, ISC is working with American Tower Corporation to provide improved cellular coverage to include 4G connectivity for fans during race weekends.(ISC)(10-30-2013)

MIS removing turn 3 grandstands, seating capacity to shrink: The grandstands located at turn 3 at Michigan International Speedway are coming down.
The decision to remove the section of bleachers stems from speedway administrators wanting to tighten up the seating area to keep fans closer to primary sightlines.
"The stands at turn 3 are kind of out there by themselves," said Brad Kuhbander, MIS Manager of Media Relations. "This will help keep fans closer to the action and fan plaza and a better view of pit row. We're always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience, and this is just another step in that process." Removing the section of grandstands, which sit at the northeast corner of the track, will reduce seating capacity at MIS from 87,000 to 72,000. It is just the latest project that has dropped seating capacity at the speedway over the past decade. As recently as 2006, MIS could seat about 137,000 fans. Capacity shrunk to about 108,000 by 2011 and then to about 87,000 in 2012. The speedway does not release ticket sales or attendance totals for races. While the number of seats available will be fewer, ticket prices will remain the same, Kuhbander said. "We're not pricing anyone out, we're just moving them," Kuhbander said. Kuhbander said the speedway will keep all the materials from the grandstand for possible future use. Dates have already been determined for NASCAR's two Sprint Cup Series races at MIS in 2014. The Quicken Loans 400 will be Sunday, June 15, and the Pure Michigan 400 is set for Sunday, Aug. 17. Visit mispeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 for ticket information.(Michigan Live)(10-8-2013)

MIS Manufacturer's Trophy to make its debut: The 2013 Pure Michigan 400 will be the inaugural race of the MIS Manufacturer's Trophy. The award, inspired by the Stanley Cup, will recognize the winning manufacturer - Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet - after each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at MIS. Each manufacturer and MIS will donate $10,000 that will be given to a youth-related, STEM-related charity in Michigan. The trophy, featuring a sculpture similar to the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, and an architectural ode to the Detroit skyline, is expected to renew a fun "rivalry" between the automakers.(MIS)(8-14-2013)

Michigan offering free WiFi hotspots: Michigan International Speedway provided free WiFi hotspots for its fans during the Quicken Loans 400 weekend. The fans overwhelmingly approved the enhancement to NASCAR's fastest track. The free WiFi hotspots are returning for the Pure Michigan 400 weekend. These hotspots were the first of its kind on the NASCAR circuit. They are located at the Budweiser Party Porch at turn four, Champion's Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union, Pit Patio, MISCamping.com APEX and MISCamping.com Turn 2 Retreat. Additional WiFi hotspots will be explored and created in the coming years. Track President Roger Curtis added it would be difficult to launch hotspots across the entire 1,400-acre MIS in one swoop. So he's starting in popular areas where fans gather and working his way out.(MIS)(8-7-2013)

Manufacturer's Trophy will recognize winning automobile maker at MIS: Michigan International Speedway, the hometrack of auto manufacturers since 1968, announced today the creation of a Manufacturer's Trophy, an ode to the spirit of the automobile and its importance to the racetrack. Inspired by the Stanley Cup, the award will recognize the winning manufacturer - Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet - after each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at MIS. "MIS is important. It's important to all (the manufacturers)," track president Roger Curtis said. "Whether you're headquartered here or not, Toyota has a huge presence in this state with the Tech Center and employs a lot of people there. I thought it was very important that we do something to formally recognize almost in a rivalry standpoint the significance of MIS on the schedule for these guys."
Each manufacturer and MIS also will donate $10,000 that will be given to a youth-related, STEM-related charity in Michigan. The trophy was designed by Fortress Studios artists Steven Kuypers and Steven McShane, both graduates of Detroit's College for Creative Studies. The trophy will be more than three feet tall, weigh about 50 pounds and feature sculpture similar to Greek goddess of victory Nike, also inspiration for classic cars hood ornaments from Cadillac, Rolls-Royce and Packard. The original bronze artwork will sit atop a base similar to architecture of Detroit landmarks such as the Fisher Building and Guardian Building. Curtis compared the trophy with the tradition-steeped Big Ten football rivalries that have produced such iconic prizes as the Old Oaken Bucket (Indiana vs. Purdue) and the Paul Bunyan Trophy (Michigan vs. Michigan State). The track annually recognizes NASCAR's manufacturers, asking fans in the grandstands to cheer on their favorite during a fun poll conducted over the PA during pre-race ceremonies. The Manufacturer's Trophy will be presented after every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan in June and August, starting with the Pure Michigan 400 on Aug. 18. The trophy is expected to renew a fun "rivalry" between the automakers. The trophy is unnamed. And Curtis has asked media to Tweet him name ideas at @MISRoger. Tickets are on sale at MISpeedway.com or by phone at 800-354-1010.(MIS)(6-15-2013)